Holland can not hold on to 2-0 lead
Thursday 13 August 2009
The Dutch national team have squandered
the chance to increase it's status with a resounding
win over England.
In a fairly poor game in which
England were the better side Holland gave away a 2-0
lead in the second half: 2-2.
Holland had taken the lead early
in the first half.
Dirk Kuyt scored after a terrible
mistake by his Liverpool team mate Glen Johnson.
The forward picked up a short back
pass by Johnson and scored from a difficult angle, totally
ignoring Robbie van Persie who was in a far better position.
After that goal the English took
the initiative and dominated Holland in midfield where
Gareth Barry played an impressive game.
In Dutch defense holding midfielder
had a tough night because of it.
It was clear both teams had huge
respect for each other, as both belong to the best teams
in Europe.
Despite England's better display
the best chances kept falling to the home team, mainly
because of very sloppy buildup play by England.
Shortly before half-time Holland
benefited from another English mistake when Barry lost
the ball to Arjen Robben.
The Madrid winger saw his effort
blocked by the England goal keeper, but the rebound
fell to Rafael van der Vaart who polished his very disappointing
display with a goal: 2-0.
Van Persie and Van der Vaart were
replaced at half-time by Wesley Sneijder and Ryan Babel
and with Kuyt moving to the center forward position
Holland looked more balanced.
Some more poor defending - this
time by Holland - led to Defoe narrowing the gap to
one goal.
Barry hoofed the ball forward and
with young Edson Braafheid putting Defoe onside the
Tottenham striker found himself in an ocean of space
to pick out a corner and beat Maarten Stekelenburg:
2-1.
Inspired by the towering Carlton
Cole England were clearly the better team at that stage
and they had some decent chances before some more poor
defending - this time by Heitinga - saw James Milner
through down the left, and his pinpoint cross left Defoe
with no other option but to score his second: 2-2.
Have
a look at the head-to-head record.
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